This is fairly cheap (under $40) and I still haven't found anything to replace it in the price range. Also very easy in terms of taking up desk space (it won't take over your gaming room) and very quick to figure out. Mine runs fine under Win10.

Figure on a minimum two year service life (assuming you're playing at least four hours a day, every day) before you either do some maint. or buy a new one.

They're still easy to find, check Amazon or NewEgg, etc., and great value for the money.

I also have the HOTAS X, and am very happy with it. I've never really liked twist-sticks. The HOTAS X has a screw that locks down the stick so it doesn't twist, and you can use either pedals or the rocker switch on the back of the throttle. That's the route I took.

I bought a Thrustmaster 1600M for the extra buttons, but the buttons are all identical and I'm always pressing the wrong one. On top of that the throttle is small and hard to control, so I consider it money wasted. I'm currently looking at some twin-throttle setups.

Quote:

Steve, I read in a thread you got a track hat, how does that work?

Unfortunately it doesn't. I've never been able to make it work properly. The most popular head tracker is the Track IR. People say they break a lot, but they seem to be easy to set up and actually use. On the other hand I didn't go with the actual hat, but rather the version that velcros onto the headset. When I have the money I plan to buy the hat and see if it works better.

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If you can live with a twist stick, i still think the old Microsoft Sidewinder Pro force feedback II with USB connector is one of the best. Only can get it used, but i works forever.
I use it for RoF, ff is good because you 'feel' the crate shudder before a stall, or when it gets too fast/overrevs in a dive. You can adjust the force to your liking in most flight sims, it just does not work right in the old (original!) WW2 IL2, because the force is much too hard here and you cannot adjust it. Or at least i did not manage to get it to work right for me..